Transcript Essay Structure 2

Essay Writing: Structure
First Principles
• A good essay is usually an argument
• Takes a stance
– Should the broadcast media be completely deregulated?
– International aid is completely undermined by
international trade agreements. Discuss.
– Women’s roles in Medieval England were subservient
and focussed only on the home. Discuss.
Elements of a well structured essay
• Clear
• Good use of paragraphs – key sentence
• Good use of evidence & references
Continuity
Continuity
• Links between paragraphs
– Oppositions, chronological, thematic
• “However, this does not take into
consideration…”
• “More recent analysis suggests…”
• “Other writers looking at the role of take the
view that…”
• “In addition…”
• “There are limitations to this model…”
• “I will now demonstrate another perspective..”
Structure
Distinct point
Distinct point
Distinct point
Central
Idea
Distinct point
Distinct point
Distinct point
Essay Structure Planning
Paragraph Theme
Main Supporting Evidence
Linking Sentence
Paragraph Theme
Main Supporting Evidence
Themes
Structure
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Thematic
For/ Against
Two sides of the coin
General to specific
Specific to general
Problem, Cause, Solution
Advocacy
Thematic Structure
1 Introduction
2 First theme
4 Second theme
6 Third theme
3 First theme
5 Second theme
7 Third theme
8 Conclusion
Introduction
1 Support Argument
4 Counter Argument
2 Support Argument
5 Counter Argument
3 Support Argument
6 Counter Argument
Conclusion
Introduction
1 Support Argument
2 Counter Argument
3 Support Argument
4 Counter Argument
5 Support Argument
6 Counter Argument
Conclusion
General to Specific
Introduction
Examine the theory
Examine the theory
Introduce specific case study/ situation
Examine how theory applies
Examine how theory applies
Examine how theory applies
Conclusion
Problem, Cause & Solution
1 Introduction
2 Identify problem
3 Look at causes
4 Look at causes
5 Look at causes
6 Solutions
7 Solutions
8 Solutions
Conclusion
Should we go to war with Iraq?
• Arguments for
• Humanitarian reasons
– Torture & murder of political opponents
– Abuse of sanctions
– Use of poison gas against own citizens
• Global Security
– Iraq sponsors Hamas suicide bombers
– Invaded Iran & Kuwait
– Possesses weapons of mass destruction
• Bring democracy to region
– Kurdistan - female judges, more schools,
Should we go to war with Iraq?
• Arguments against
• Motives?
– For oil
• Create further instability
– Evidence of western imperialism
– Create anti-western sentiment amongst religious extremists
• Moral right
– Can we ever have the right to invade another sovereign
country?
– Why not invade other inhumane regimes?
For Against Structure
Introduction
Humanitarian Reasons
Civilian Casualties
Global Security
Increased Terrorism?
Restore Democracy
Moral Right to invade?
Conclusion
Introduction
Humanitarian Reasons
Civilian Casualties
Global Security
Increased Terrorism?
Restore Democracy
Moral Right to invade?
Conclusion
Themed Essay
1 Introduction
Moral Case
For War
2 Humanitarian
3 Imposed
Democracy
Global Security World Community
4 US right to
Defend itself
5 Will it cause
further
instability?
8 Conclusion
6 Should we
intervene in
other
non-democracies?
7 What cost?
Advocacy
Introduction
Anxiety re: Civilian casualties, increased terror & morality
However, rogue state
Hiding WMD
Links to terror
Invasion of neighbours
Humanitarian
Conclusion
Conclusion
• Essay = Argument
• Structure ought to be way of organising
argument
• Each paragraph must be
– Self-contained
– Clear
– Be linked together